Nouvelles

MARC DESERRES HONORARY PRESIDENT OF THE QUÉBEC ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONTEST

“At first, I never could have imagined that our business would grow to the size it is today. Day after day, project after project, it built up. The most important thing is to remember that anything is possible. Don't be afraid to take risks!” said Marc DeSerres, president of the country's largest chain of art supply stores. “In a sense, a business is a work of art, and an entrepreneur is like an artist. Entrepreneurs must be creative and original, and they have to be as passionate as artists. In Québec, art is an integral part of our heritage, and our society evolves through art. Entrepreneurship has a similar impact. Indeed, Québec evolves through business creation, but also by developing a strong culture of entrepreneurship among young people. It is essential to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs to create the Québec of the future!” added DeSerres. Heir to a family business founded by his grandfather more than 100 years ago, Marc DeSerres gave new life to the company by creating a niche and resisting the high-tech trend. “Felt-tip pens will always be fashionable,” he declared. Today, the president of DeSerres owns 26 stores across the country, with more than 700 employees (www.deserres.ca).

Natacha Jean, President-Director General of the Québec Entrepreneurship Contest, announced, “We are very excited that this outstanding entrepreneur has agreed to be the honorary president for the new edition of the contest. It is essential that the next generation of businesspeople know about these entrepreneurs who had to reinvent their businesses constantly, to be innovative and creative in order to move forward. DeSerres is an example to follow, as he's something of a trail-blazer in this field; he created a business model that worked in a time when the cards were stacked against him. An inspiring model in the current economic context!”

Two divisions, two ways to participate
The Québec Entrepreneurship Contest is open to new entrepreneurs (Business Creation Division) and to elementary to university level students who develop entrepreneurial projects in schools (Student Entrepreneurship Division). To date, more than one million people in the 17 regions of Québec have participated in the contest, making it the largest competition of its kind. More than 75 000 people are expected to participate this year. Last year alone, the new businesses that participated in the contest created nearly 2 000 jobs.

More than $500 000 in awards
The deadline for registration is March 15, 2010, 4 PM. The criteria and the list of categories and special awards are posted on the following Web site: www.concours-entrepreneur.org. Provincial grand prize winners throughout the 17 regions of Québec will share more than $500 000 in prize money, which will be awarded at the gala ceremony on Thursday, June 17, 2010, in Québec.

New partnership with Argent
A new partner has signed on for the 12th edition of the contest. Quebecor Media's financial channel, Argent, will provide a showcase for winners of the 12th edition of the contest. Argent joins a list of nearly 40 partners, including the Défi de l'entrepreneuriat jeunesse du gouvernement du Québec, the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, the Ministère du Développement économique, de l'Exportation et de l'Innovation, Rogers, Service Canada and Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton.